POROCEPHALUS Meaning and
Definition
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Porocephalus refers to a genus of small parasitic organisms belonging to the phylum Acanthocephala. These worms are characterized by their cylindrical body shape and the presence of an elongated proboscis at the anterior end. The name Porocephalus is derived from the Greek words "poros," meaning "pore," and "kephale," meaning "head," in reference to the structure of their mouth region.
Members of the genus Porocephalus are primarily found in the digestive systems of vertebrate hosts, particularly in birds and mammals. They have a complex life cycle that involves multiple hosts, including arthropods as intermediate hosts. The adult worms inhabit the intestines of their definitive hosts, where they attach themselves using the hooks present on their proboscis. They derive nutrients by feeding on the host's intestinal lining, which can lead to adverse effects on the health and overall well-being of the host.
In addition to their anatomical features, Porocephalus is also characterized by its ability to reproduce sexually. These worms are dioecious, meaning that male and female reproductive organs are present in separate individuals. After fertilization, female worms produce eggs that are released into the environment through the host's feces. These eggs require ingestion by intermediate hosts to complete their life cycle.
Porocephalus has been extensively studied by parasitologists and plays a significant role in understanding host-parasite interactions and the ecology of parasitic infections.
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A generic term applied to certain worm-like arthropods or their larvae, parasitic in a number of animals and in man.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for POROCEPHALUS
- pyrocephaljs
- procephalus
- porocephalous
- parocephalus
- oorocephalus
- lorocephalus
- 0orocephalus
- pkrocephalus
- plrocephalus
- pprocephalus
- p0rocephalus
- poeocephalus
- pofocephalus
- po5ocephalus
- po4ocephalus
- poricephalus
- porkcephalus
- porlcephalus
- porpcephalus
- por0cephalus
Etymology of POROCEPHALUS
The word "Porocephalus" has its etymology rooted in Greek. It is derived from the Greek words "poros" (πόρος), meaning "passage" or "pathway", and "kephalos" (κεφαλή), meaning "head". When combined, "porocephalus" can be translated to "passage-headed".
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